GEELONG coach Chris Scott says Jimmy Bartel and Jordan Murdoch are likely to return to the Cats' side for Saturday night's blockbuster against Hawthorn.
But Scott has all but ruled out Steve Johnson, who remains troubled by a foot injury and was still using crutches when sighted at the club on Tuesday.
"We are going to be very conservative (with Johnson)," Scott said at Simonds Stadium on Tuesday morning.
"The plan was always to keep him off his foot for as long as possible, hence the crutches.
"He can walk around fine, (the medical staff) just think it will help him more not to be weight-bearing.
"I think given we've talked about how conservative we're going to be, I wouldn't be putting him in my (fantasy) team this week."
As for whether the Cats are certain that Johnson will be fit to play in the finals, Scott said: "You can't guarantee anything.
"But (the club's medical staff) are saying they're certain – as certain as they can be.
"The extreme case is that you get a fracture there. He hasn't got one of those but he is a little bit sore.
"We'll certainly train him pretty hard before he actually plays.
"Again, that probably would lead most observers to think that he's a stretch for this week, but he's certainly not a stretch for the week after."
Bartel (corked thigh) and Murdoch (hip) missed the recent win over Carlton, but the outlook for both is bright.
"We're much more confident that they will play as compared to Johnson," Scott said.
There has been some talk about Tom Hawkins being struck down by back problems again after he failed to kick a goal against the Blues, but Scott was keen to play down the issue.
"I think a few people noticed that he didn't quite move as well on the weekend as he has in previous weeks," he said.
"But that happens with a lot of players. Some weeks you feel better than others.
"But as far as Tom and our medical staff are concerned … they think he's okay.
"If they tell us that it would help him to have a light week or not play at this time of year, we won't play him.
"But again, to our supporters, if he's out there he's right to go and there's no risk."
The Cats might end up playing the Hawks twice in the space of two weeks, with the sides a good chance to meet in a qualifying final.
But with a top-two spot on the line this weekend, the teams are unlikely to keep much up their sleeve.
"We may not roll out absolutely everything," Scott said. "But our game is there for everyone to see.
"We tend not to play too many tricks, and I think the opposition know us pretty well."
